West Berkshire Council's recommendation of a sponsor for a new school in Newbury has been approved by the government.
The council received five bids to sponsor the school, which will be built to meet the high demand for primary school places in Newbury, and will gradually build up to a 210-place primary school with a 26-place nursery.
The bids were carefully considered by an Evaluation Panel, followed by interviews for short-listed bidders.
Following this process, the council recommended the joint bid from Newbury College and Theale, CE Primary School to the government for consideration. This bid has now been confirmed as their preferred sponsor for the new school in Newbury.
Ian Pearson, Head of Education at West Berkshire Council said: "Newbury College and Theale Primary school demonstrated ambition in playing to the strengths of both partners to create a distinctive vision. The bid had very strong credentials and the college and the school have proven track records including how to deliver outstanding primary and Early Years provision. They shared a compelling vision and were able to offer detail about how this vision would be achieved with staff, children, parents and the local community."
Dr Anne Murdoch Principal of Newbury College, along with Catherine Morley, Headteacher at Theale CE Primary School, are delighted to be chosen as the sponsor of the new Primary School in Newbury. Dr Murdoch said "We have worked really hard to develop an innovative vision for an outstanding School. The new School, which will be set in College grounds, will have a broad curriculum that will inspire our pupils to achieve at all levels. The School will also have state of the art, brand new facilities, which will enable pupils to learn by using the latest technology and they will be taught by the very best teachers."
The new school will be located on the Newbury College site and will be known as High Wood Primary School. It is expected to open in September 2017.